Childminder in Bedford

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 February 2015 30 November 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 The childminder uses a variety of good and sometimes, outstanding teaching methods. She allows children to experiment and discover at their own pace and gives them lots of opportunities to be immersed in interesting activities. Consequently, children are eager to learn.  The childminder effectively prepares children for their subsequent move to school. For example, she teaches them to recognise numbers and letters and supports them as they begin to write their names.  Children settle very quickly in the childminder's care. Parents record short reassuring messages onto interactive toys that their child can independently access. They listen to the messages if they feel unhappy or worried. Through this, children feel content when separated from their parents and carers.  The childminder takes children to a variety of different environments in which they can play and learn. For example, they regularly visit the zoo and country parks.

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This provision is good

 The childminder regularly evaluates her practice. She actively seeks support and additional training to continually develop and enhance her already good knowledge and understanding. Consequently, the childminder delivers high-quality care and education.  The childminder works closely with parents. For example, she finds out from them what their children like, know and can do when they first visit. The childminder uses the information to plan activities that will help children to quickly move onto the next stage in their development.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always optimise children's critical thinking, as occasionally they are not involved in initially selecting the equipment to complete tasks and solve problems.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 increase the opportunities children have to think critically, by allowing them to select resources they want to use to complete tasks and solve problems.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's house and talked with the childminder and children.  The inspector viewed areas of the house and garden used for childminding.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning information, evidence of the suitability of household members and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector took into account the views of parents as recorded in written questionnaires.  The inspector reviewed the childminder's self-evaluation form.  The inspector evaluated a planned activity with the childminder.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder confidently plans activities that accurately incorporate children's interests and next steps in their learning to stimulate and engage them. However, on some occasions the childminder does not maximise children's critical thinking, as they are not always involved at the beginning of an activity to select the resources needed to complete a task or solve a problem. The childminder uses a variety of effective teaching methods. She skilfully questions children prompting them to predict what might happen next as they investigate and experiment. For example, children talk about what happens when they pour warm water and coloured salt onto a castle made of ice. They excitedly chip away at the ice to discover a familiar character trapped inside. The childminder shares daily activities and children's development with their parents through a computer program. Through a secure sign-in system, parents can log on and view their child's progress at any

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good

The childminder provides a secure and caring environment for children to grow and learn in. She maintains consistent boundaries and encourages children to be kind to each other. As a result, children behave very well. Children use their hands to print on the playroom wall. The childminder uses the named hand prints to add messages and special achievements children have made both within her setting and at their home. All the children enjoy sharing these with their peers and families. Consequently, children feel proud and are motivated to behave well and achieve. The childminder teaches children how to stay healthy. They talk about why they need rest, sleep, fresh air and exercise. Children enjoy choosing fruit from a bowl for their snack, which helps them to make healthy choices. While supervising children, the childminder teaches them to take developmentally appropriate risk. For example, they use small knives and chopsticks

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provision is good

The childminder is a positive role model who guides children to promote their awareness of how to stay safe. She has well-thought-out procedures to keep children safe from harm. In addition, she is fully aware of who to report any concerns about children's welfare, in order to promote safeguarding. The childminder carries out daily checks to ensure that hazards are minimised in her home and garden. She has rules in place for children when handling and caring for the family pets. The childminder accurately records and maintains information about children's progress. Consequently, she can quickly identify any emerging gaps in development and seek additional support from other professionals to ensure that all children continue to make good progress in their learning. The childminder also works closely with outside agencies to effectively support her to continually improve her already good delivery of care and education.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY253481 Local authority Bedford Borough Inspection number 860386 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 18

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 30 November 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2003 and lives in Elstow, Bedfordshire. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays and bank holidays. The childminder is also registered to provide occasional overnight care. She holds a qualification at level 3.

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Telephone number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Telephone number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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